Decision overturned! Planning & Design Practice successfully overturned a decision to refuse prior approval for the change of use of an agricultural building to three dwellings at Flourish Farm, Dale Abbey, Derbyshire under Class Q of the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO).
The building is a simple structure, enclosed on three sides with concrete block work walls. Above the block work the walls of the barn are finished in vertical timber cladding on two sides (north and west elevations), the east elevation is clad in profiled steel cladding above this, the roof is corrugated metal sheet roof.
The main issue the Inspector had to consider was whether the appeal building would be capable of functioning as a dwelling and whether the proposed development would fall within the definition of development permitted by the GPDO.
The Inspector found that the building would be capable of functioning as three dwellings, concurring with the appellant’s position that the building is structurally sound, and no significant improvements or modifications are required to facilitate the conversion.
The Inspector also agreed that the installation of new external walls only represents a small percentage of the building, disagreeing with the Council’s position that the closing of these openings would be so significant to amount to a rebuilding of the barn.
On the basis on the above the Inspector resolved to grant the appeal and allow the conversion of the building under Class Q of the GPDO.
Class Q’s are something Planning & Design Practice Ltd are well versed in, having helped lots of home owners imagine and realise their dream homes. The permitted development right is a notoriously complicated and thorny issue with many Planning Authorities. Since the permitted development right was introduced, there have been several notable appeal decisions which have altered and clarified how Class Q applications should be dealt with by an Authority. You can read more about this here.
We have vast experience of working on rural projects for homeowners, landowners and farmers in rural areas including barn conversions (both via a planning application and Class Q) and farm diversification schemes. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for a no obligation consultation to discuss your project or property.
